Asthma and Respiratory Disorders
Asthma is a common lung condition in the modern world, one that impacts the lives of adults and children alike. Asthma threatens one’s essential ability to breathe, to take in oxygen, our most basic and urgent survival need. Asthma is a condition marked by recurrent attacks of breathing difficulty, with wheezing due to spasmodic contraction of the bronchi.
The most significant characteristic of asthma is a narrowing of the trachea (the “windpipe”) and bronchial passages in response to some stimulus. In asthma, the airways are over-responsive. Things that cause no breathing problems for most of us can provoke the airways to constrict. These may be external stimuli like pollen, dust, and even cold air. Or, the stimulus may be something internal, like a nutritional deficiency or emotional stress. Whatever the trigger, all asthma attacks have the same scenario in common: the airways become extremely irritated and overreact by going into spasm.
Some cases are allergic manifestations, others are provoked by a variety of factors including vigorous exercise, irritant particles, psychological stress, viral illness and food allergies. The symptoms of asthma often reflect a weakened or poor immune system function. Food sensitivities often play an important precipitating or aggravating role. Essential fatty acid (EFA) as well as other nutrient deficiencies may also play a part. Vitamin A helps protect the lining of the lungs, while vitamin C helps to detoxify environmental toxins. Antioxidant nutrients and essential fats are anti-inflammatory.
Overall, it’s more important to focus on the root cause and what are the underlying mechanisms that are causing the asthma rather than just treating it symptomatically. Each person is encouraged to seek out a qualified nutritionist in order to assess exactly which nutrients, herbs, homeopathics and natural remedies; in which combination; in what proportion are right for the particular individual and are intended at treating the root cause rather than just a symptom.